Daylon Swearengen accomplished something he’d dreamed of since 2017 – he was the 2022 PBR World Finals event winner and the 2022 Professional Bull Riders world champion. “I’ve watched videos my whole life and it was a lifelong goal,” said the 22-year-old, who is also the first New York native to be a PBR champion. “My grandma passed away this past year and winning the PBR would have made her happy. It was great having my family with me during the Finals – they were praying for me and pushing me forward.” Daylon up in Piffard, New York, the oldest son of Sam and Carrie Swearingen, former owners of Rawhide Rodeo Company. Daylon and his younger brother, Colton, grew up helping produce rodeos as well as compete in them.
Rawhide Rodeo put on 80 performances and 30 ropings from June to October, in addition to the usual rigors of summer haying. Daylon tried to make it to at least two rodeos a week and his talent grew as well. He came up through the high school ranks, riding bulls and bareback horses, but settled on bull riding during his college days at Panola College. He made one NFR qualification in 2019, but has been strictly competing in the PBR since then. “I love riding bulls, it’s always been my passion. With the PBR, I can be home most of the week and work on the weekends.” He took the million dollars he won at the PBR Finals and invested it. “I have a place in Silver Springs, Texas, I remodeled the house, added to my cattle herd, and invested some.” Daylon started his herd 8 years ago, adding to it as he accumulated earnings competing in bull riding.
After the Finals, Daylon took some time off before starting again as part of the new team series debuting in Cheyenne, Wyo., on July 25. After competing in Calgary, Daylon headed to North Carolina for his team’s training camp. “It was tough, but it will bring out the best in us. We worked out and got to know each other.” When the bucking chute opens in Cheyenne, all 8 team will be competing against each other. “My goal is to help the team – the Carolina Cowboys – win the first ever team championship. I set my goals – we aren’t working for the individual season, it’s the team. After that I’ll reassess and make some new goals.”
Daylon is always open to advise. “If I have a question, I ask for help. I look up to a lot of people and appreciate the help in making the right decisions. My own advice seems to get me in trouble.” For now, he just wants to keep working at being the best version of himself each day. “I want to push myself to be better today than yesterday. I like to always be working at something.”
As a member of the American Hat team, Daylon is excited to align with a company that has the same values as he does. “American hat means made in America … it’s a great hat and a great company.”
